PhD Position in Comparative Governance of Gene Editing in Food and Agriculture
A three-year PhD position is available in the Department of Environmental Studies at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) starting as soon as January 2021. The PhD student will work with an interdisciplinary, international team of social and biophysical scientists on a project examining comparative sociotechnical dimensions and governance of gene editing in food and agriculture across several countries. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Science, Technology & Society program, the project, “How Competing Sociotechnical Imaginaries Shape Trust and Governance of Gene Editing in Agriculture and Food: A Cross Country Comparison,” will compare how key actors use cultural and political resources and practices to shape governance of gene editing in agriculture across five countries (US, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, Netherlands). Project abstract: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2020999&HistoricalAwards=false
The PhD will participate in all aspects of the research project, which include conducting literature reviews, content analysis of media across all countries, qualitative interviews and deliberative workshops, and contributing to peer-reviewed publications and presentations at professional meetings. The student will pursue a degree in Environmental Science (https://www.esf.edu/environmentalscience/graduate/areas/). Tuition and stipend are included for three years, as well as research and professional conference travel support.
Required Qualifications
· Earned MS in Environmental Studies, Sociology, Science and Technology Studies, Geography, Communication Science, with expertise in one or more areas: agriculture, food systems, agrifood governance, biotechnology, STS.
· Excellent communication (verbal and written) and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
· Familiarity with media content analysis, science communication
· Familiarity with databanks such as Factiva and Nexis
· Statistical competence and experience working with SPSS and or R
· Demonstrated qualitative analytical skills
· Demonstrated record of working in multidisciplinary teams
· Experience conducting stakeholder workshops
Application instructions
Send a cover letter stating interest in and qualifications for the position, a curriculum vitae, one writing sample (e.g. journal article, thesis chapter), and the names and contact information for three references to Dr. Theresa Selfa at tselfa@esf.edu.
Guaranteed consideration date: apply by November 9, 2020
Preferred Starting Date: January 2021 (possible online start)
For more information about the position and the project, please contact:
Dr. Theresa Selfa
Professor and Acting Chair
Dept. of Environmental Studies &
Graduate Program in Environmental Science,
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
Syracuse, NY 13210. Email: tselfa@esf.edu
https://www.esf.edu/faculty/selfa/